US EditionMichigan State's Tom Izzo Says He Had Serious Talks Last Year About Coaching NBA's Phoenix Suns
Izzo said he was tempted by the Suns because of his ties to Mat Ishbia and Michigan State, but he stayed to chase another national title.
- On Wednesday, April 1, Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo revealed he seriously considered taking the Phoenix Suns' head coaching vacancy last offseason, offered by former player and team owner Mat Ishbia.
- Frustrations with the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, including the transfer portal and NIL regulations, prompted Izzo to weigh the professional move. "I don't like what's going on in college athletics," he told Patrick.
- The Hall of Fame coach previously entertained NBA offers from the Atlanta Hawks in 2000 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010, though he opted to remain in East Lansing each time.
- Suns general manager Brian Gregory and head coach Jordan Ott, both former Michigan State personnel, ultimately led the team's coaching search, moving forward without the longtime college leader.
- Despite the flirtation with the professional ranks, the 71-year-old coach plans to continue leading Michigan State, stating his primary goal remains "Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo seriously considered taking Suns’ job
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he “talked seriously” last offseason about becoming coach of the Phoenix Suns, a franchise owned by Mat Ishbia, a former Spartans player. Izzo made the revelation on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Wednesday when the topic turned to past NBA opportunities for the 71-year-old coach. “I was a lot younger, but I have (had) more than a couple of job offers in the NBA and looked at one last year with Phoenix,” Izzo said…
The Hamilton Spectator
My Mother LodeMichigan State’s Tom Izzo says he had serious talks last year about coaching NBA’s Phoenix Suns
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State's Tom Izzo said he considered coaching the Phoenix Suns after discussing the possibility last year with one of his former players, Mat Ishbia, who owns the NBA team.
WJFW NewsWatch 12
Michigan State's Tom Izzo says he had serious talks last year about coaching NBA's Phoenix Suns
Michigan State’s Tom Izzo said Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show” that he considered coaching the Phoenix Suns after discussing the possibility last year with one of his former players, Mat Ishbia, who owns the NBA team. The 71-year-old Hall…
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